Table

ABSTRACT

A table is provided, the top of which is secured to a frame provided with at least two longitudinal members and at least two cross members that are displaceable relative to the longitudinal members. The longitudinal and cross members are interconnected by connection elements to which the table legs are secured. Each connection element is provided with a base member having two intersecting mounting recesses for the longitudinal cross members. The shape of the mounting members is essentially adapted to the outer profile of the longitudinal and cross members. A securing element is provided for fixing the longitudinal and cross members in position in their mounting recesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a table, the table top of which is secured to a table frame or trestle that has at least two longitudinal members and at least two cross members that are displaceable relative to the longitudinal members, whereby the longitudinal members are interconnected with the cross members by connection elements, to which the table legs are secured.

[0002] DE 44 06 248 A1 discloses an office table, the frame of which comprises two parallel longitudinal members and at least two transverse members, which in the longitudinal direction are divided into partial sections along the longitudinal member, and are also displaceable in the transverse direction along cross bars. This displaceability in the longitudinal and possibly also in the transverse direction is ensured by a complicated, trapezoidal tongue and groove joint between the side edges of the transverse members and the longitudinal or transverse bars. Although this provides a certain flexibility, even relative to different size tabletops, the relatively complicated connection technology of the frame precludes further connection locations for other furniture elements, and hence for further possible applications.

[0003] With the table described in the German Gebrauchsmuster document DE 298 09 994 U1 the table legs are respectively secured to the ends of two transverse members, i.e. the spacing between the table legs is precisely established. Longitudinal members can be secured to these transverse members at different positions; the ends of the longitudinal members abut flushly against the transfer members.

[0004] With the table described in DE 198 48 392 C1 the table legs are respectively secured to the underside of transverse members that are displaceable along longitudinal members and can be secured in various positions along the longitudinal members. There is no possibility of displacing the longitudinal members along the transverse members.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention, with straightforward structural means, to embody a table, and in particular the connection elements that connect the longitudinal members with the cross members, in such a way that either the cross members can be displaced along the longitudinal members, or the longitudinal members can be displaced along the cross members, with such members being adapted to be fixed in various positions relative to one another.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0006] This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is an isometric partial view of one exemplary embodiment of an inventive table frame;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the inventive connection element; and

[0009]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the connection of longitudinal and cross members of the table frame by means of the inventive connection element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is characterized primarily in that each connection element is provided with a base member having two intersecting mounting recesses for the longitudinal and cross members, wherein the mounting recesses have a shape that is essentially adapted to the outer profile of the longitudinal and cross members, and wherein the connecting element also has a securing element for fixing the longitudinal and cross members in position in their mounting recesses.

[0011] Thus, with the present invention, with existing tabletop sizes it is possible to displace the table legs into the inner region of the table, since the unit comprising the cross members and the two connection elements (joints) are secured at some other desired location of the longitudinal members. Thus, it is possible, for example, to realize a table having a table top which is unchanged in size and projects beyond the cross members, with the portion that projects beyond the transverse members still being supported by the longitudinal members.

[0012] It is also possible to insert the longitudinal members and the cross members into the connection elements in such a way that the longitudinal members with the table legs secured thereto are displaced along the cross members, so that it is then possible to embody, for example, a table having a table top that projects laterally beyond the longitudinal members.

[0013] As a result of the inventive embodiment of, in particular, the connection elements, there are a plurality of possibilities, independently of the space that is available and the requirements placed upon a finished table, of mounting the table legs in various positions either along the cross members or along the longitudinal members.

[0014] The inventive connection element, with the table legs secured thereto, can also be secured only either on one longitudinal member or on one cross member.

[0015] Further specific features of the present invention will be described in detail subsequently.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring now to the drawing in detail, the table frame or trestle illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises longitudinal supports or members 1 and cross bars or members 2, which have a flat upper side and are connected to form a frame by means of connection elements 3. Table legs 4 are secured to the connection elements 3. Secured on the upper side of the longitudinal members 1 are crosspieces 5 that in turn can be secured to the underside of a non-illustrated tabletop.

[0017] Each of the connection elements 3 comprises a base member 6 that is provided with two intersecting mounting recesses 7 and 8 for the cross members 2 and longitudinal members 1 respectively. The shape of the mounting recesses 7 and 8 is essentially adapted to the outer profile of the longitudinal and cross members in such a way that the side walls and undersides of the longitudinal and cross members are closely surrounded by the boundary edges and surfaces of the mounting recesses 7 and 8.

[0018] The mounting recesses 7 and 8 are open toward the upper side of the base member 6, on which can be secured a securing element, preferably in the form of a clamping plate 9, which extends over the mounting recesses 7 and 8 and the surrounding region.

[0019] The depth of each of the mounting recesses 7 and 8 is adapted to the height of the longitudinal or cross member such that in the final assembled state, the upper sides of the longitudinal and cross members are flush with one another.

[0020] Those regions of the base member 6 that are adjacent to the mounting recesses 7 and 8 have a planar upper surface 10 for fastening the clamping plate 9, for example with screws. The upper surface 10 is surrounded by an upwardly projecting rim 13.

[0021] The elongation of one of the two mounting recesses of the base member 6, in FIG. 2 for example in the elongation of the mounting recess 7, is provided with an extension 11 for securing, for example with screws or bolts, the base member 6 to a table leg 4. To facilitate assembly, the upper side of the extension 11 is disposed lower than the base of the mounting recess 7.

[0022] The base member 6, with the extension 11 disposed thereon, preferably has the shape of a small boat.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal member 1 is mounted in the associated mounting recess 8 so as to extend beyond both sides of the base member 6, while the cross member 2 is inserted into the associated mounting recess 7 until it comes to rest against the longitudinal member 1.

[0024] In FIG. 3, it would be possible to insert a further, non-illustrated support member into the still exposed portion of the mounting recess 7, for example for supporting a table top extension or the like; such a further support member can also be fixed in place by means of the clamping plate 9.

[0025] Pursuant to FIG. 1, the connection element 3, with a table leg 4 secured thereon, can also be secured along the longitudinal member 1 at any desired location, ever without a cross member 2 being inserted into the connection element. It is furthermore also possible to insert a cross member 2 into the base member 6 such that it extends through the entire mounting recess 7, whereby the longitudinal member 1 can then be inserted into the base member 6, in other words into the mounting recess 8, only on one side and until it comes to rest against the cross member 2.

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a cover plate 4 that can be secured in a clamping manner against the extension 11 in order to provide a closed profile toward the outside.

[0027] The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of German priority document 100 51 502.9 of Oct. 17, 2000.

[0028] The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawing, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A table having a top that is disposed on a frame provided with at least two longitudinal members and at least two cross members that are displaceable relative to said longitudinal members, said table further comprising: connection elements for interconnecting said longitudinal members and said cross members and for connection to table legs, wherein each connection element is provided with a base element that has two intersecting mounting recesses for said longitudinal members and cross members, wherein said mounting recesses have a shape that is essentially adapted to an outer profile of said longitudinal members and said cross members, and wherein each connection element is further provided with a securing element for fixing said longitudinal members and said cross members in position in said mounting recesses.
 2. A table according to claim 1, wherein said mounting recesses are open toward an upper side of said base member, upon which said securing element is securable such that it extends over said mounting recesses and surrounding regions.
 3. A table according to claim 1, wherein each mounting recess has a depth that is adapted to a height of said longitudinal members and said cross members in such a way that in a final assembled state upper surfaces of said longitudinal and cross members are flush with one another.
 4. A table according to claim 3, wherein regions of said base member that are adjacent to said mounting recesses are provided with a planar surface, and wherein said securing element is a clamping plate that is securable on said planar surface.
 5. A table according to claim 4, wherein said clamping plate is securable to said planar surface by being screwed thereto.
 6. A table according to claim 4, wherein said planar surface upon which said clamping plate is securable is surrounded at least in part by an upwardly projecting rim.
 7. A table according to claim 6, wherein said base member, in an elongation of one of said mounting recesses is provided with an extension for securement of said base member to a table leg.
 8. A table according to claim 7, wherein an upper side of said extension is disposed lower than a base of said mounting recesses.
 9. A table according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal members and said cross members have a flat upper surface.
 10. A table according to claim 1, which is furthermore provided with at least two crosspieces that are securable to the underside of a table top and that in the region of ends thereof are secured to upper sides of said longitudinal members.
 11. A connection element for interconnecting longitudinal members and cross members of a table frame, comprising: a base member that has two intersecting mounting recesses for said longitudinal and cross members, wherein said mounting recesses have a shape that is essentially adapted to an outer profile of said longitudinal and cross members; and a securing element for fixing said longitudinal members and said cross members in position in said mounting recesses.
 12. A connection element according to claim 11, wherein said mounting recesses are open toward an upper side of said base member, upon which said securing element is securable such that it extends over said mounting recesses and surrounding regions.
 13. A connection element according to claim 11, wherein each of said mounting recesses has a depth that is adapted to a height of said longitudinal and cross members such that in a final assembled state, upper surfaces of said longitudinal and cross members are flush with one another.
 14. A connection element according to claim 13, wherein regions of said base member that are adjacent to said mounting recesses are provided with a planar surface, and wherein said securing element is a clamping plate that is securable to said planar surface.
 15. A connection element according to claim 14, wherein said clamping plate is securable to said planar surface by means of screws.
 16. A connection element according to claim 14, wherein said planar surface, upon which said clamping plate is securable, is surrounded at least in part by an upwardly projecting rim.
 17. A connection element according to claim 11, wherein said base member, in an elongation of one of said mounting recesses is provided with an extension for securement of said base member to a table leg.
 18. A connection element according to claim 17, wherein an upper side of said extension is disposed lower than a base of said mounting recesses. 